‘Ninja' robber on his own; no more defense lawyer

Ryan Blake McCullough, left, looks on with Susan Bailey of the Public Defender's Office, right, during a bond hearing at the Marion County Judicial Center in Ocala on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012. Circuit Judge Sandra Edwards-Stephens ruled not to reduce bond in the case. McCullough, 22, has been charged in connection with the "Ninja Robber" holdups — five violent, brazen nighttime robberies at area stores.

Bruce Ackerman/Staff photographer

By Vishal PersaudStaff writer

Published: Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 6:08 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 7:07 p.m.

A judge is allowing the accused “Ninja robber” to represent himself in criminal court.

Although the judge found Bailey had been “effectively representing the Defendant (McCullough),” the alleged robber decided he wanted to proceed with the case on his own, the judge wrote in the order.

McCullough, 22, is accused of being the man who dressed in all black and robbed five local businesses between March 25 and May 15 last year. Because of his clothing, local authorities dubbed him the “Ninja robber.”

The robber's strategy was to wait until the businesses were about to close and then jump over the counter, point a gun at the cashier and demand all the money from the cash register, authorities said.

In October, the judge denied McCullough's motion to reduce his $250,000 bail. It's $50,000 for each of the five pending cases.

During that hearing, Assistant State Attorney Ron Bendekovic presented testimony and evidence that linked McCullough directly to the five robberies.

Authorities said the suspect had stolen a cellphone from the last robbery location: the Family Dollar on Northeast 28th Street.

When authorities tracked the phone to a room at Motor Inns on Silver Springs Boulevard, they found McCullough.

Inside the room at the inn, authorities also found several items that could have been used by the suspected robber in the holdups.

On Nov. 26, McCullough filed another motion to set or reduce bond and a motion to produce physical evidence — this time on his own.

<p>A judge is allowing the accused “Ninja robber” to represent himself in criminal court.</p><p>Circuit Judge Sandra Edwards-Stephens on Thursday granted Ryan Blake McCullough's request and relieved Assistant Public Defender Susan Bailey from her obligation to represent McCullough.</p><p>Although the judge found Bailey had been “effectively representing the Defendant (McCullough),” the alleged robber decided he wanted to proceed with the case on his own, the judge wrote in the order.</p><p>McCullough, 22, is accused of being the man who dressed in all black and robbed five local businesses between March 25 and May 15 last year. Because of his clothing, local authorities dubbed him the “Ninja robber.”</p><p>The robber's strategy was to wait until the businesses were about to close and then jump over the counter, point a gun at the cashier and demand all the money from the cash register, authorities said.</p><p>In October, the judge denied McCullough's motion to reduce his $250,000 bail. It's $50,000 for each of the five pending cases.</p><p>During that hearing, Assistant State Attorney Ron Bendekovic presented testimony and evidence that linked McCullough directly to the five robberies.</p><p>Authorities said the suspect had stolen a cellphone from the last robbery location: the Family Dollar on Northeast 28th Street.</p><p>When authorities tracked the phone to a room at Motor Inns on Silver Springs Boulevard, they found McCullough.</p><p>Inside the room at the inn, authorities also found several items that could have been used by the suspected robber in the holdups.</p><p>On Nov. 26, McCullough filed another motion to set or reduce bond and a motion to produce physical evidence — this time on his own.</p>